Our Programs
photo: Barb McDougall
Overview
The Victoria Music Corner Ensemble presents three new and unique programs per year.
Each 45-minute performance begins by introducing the children to the four musicians and their instruments: trombone, clarinet, violin, and percussion. From there, a variety of activities are integrated in ways that let children interact directly with the music and participate in the storytelling.
Activities include games, simple songs for singing along, substantial performances for listening, and opportunities for dancing and moving. Some examples include riddles, number & word games, playing along on simple instruments, clapping, singing, and acting out different characters.
Adaptations of certain programs are available for elementary schools, private functions, and other community gatherings. Currently these include Zoo Parties!, the Victoria Symphony's Musicians in Schools program, and The Story of We & You. Information about each program follows. Please contact us at any time with any questions you may have.
Ongoing Presentations
Zoo Parties!
Looking for a Birthday party theme that's educational and a little WILD at the same time? A special version of our popular Carnival of the Animals, complete with instrument "petting zoo" is available for bookings year round. Please contact us.
The Story of We & You
It's a very simple story of comical romance for all ages. This collection of light classics and musical gems from the salons and coffeehouses of Europe follows a young Victoria couple through a short series of seemingly disastrous encounters, only to find themselves closer as time goes on. Musical selections include The Russian Tango, Salut d'Amour by Elgar, Dvorak's Humoresque, a medley from Die Fledermaus, and Barcarole from Jacques Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman.
Musicians in Schools
Music Corner is presented by the Victoria Symphony throughout Victoria's private and public schools.
The Carnival of the Animals
The Magic Flute
Momotaro the Peach Boy
The Little Prince
Peter and the Wolf
Æsop's Animals
The Princess in the
White Jade Jar
The Carnival of the Animals
One of history's great masterpieces of musical fun, this zoological parade by Camille Saint-Saëns is matched with as many games and shenanigans as hairs in a lion's mane! Can you waltz with the elephants and hop with the kangaroos?
The Magic Flute
Two friends set out on an exciting quest to the Temple of Wisdom where they brave fire and water to rescue a princess. Children participate every step of the way through movement, song, riddles and games. Music from Mozart's original opera was adapted by Victoria composer, Timothy Francis, and is performed by the characters throughout.
Momotaro (Peach Boy)
Ask
anyone from Japan and they'll tell you all about the old woodcutter,
his wife and their miraculous child. Arrangements of traditional Japanese
folk music accompany our exciting adventure to the mysterious Island Of
The Oni. Who are the Oni? We'll have to collect some friends along
the way to help us find out!
The Little Prince
Music
Corner commissions new works from talented local composers. For our dazzling
debut season, Victoria Symphony composer in residence, Anna Höstman,
has written a suite of music around this beloved story by Antoine de Saint-Exupry.
Join us as we travel to distant planets and let the fox remind you why your
rose is not like all the others.
Peter and the Wolf
The way characters are brought to life through the vibrant music if this beloved work makes it easy to understand why it has been such a consistent hit among young audiences. Music Corner's new version is expertly re-orchestrated by David Clenman and we've added a few twists that you'll enjoy at least as much as the duck will.
photo: Barb McDougall
Æsop's Animals
Few works of literature have bridged more generation gaps than the clever fables of Æsop. This new program includes favourites like The Hare and the Tortoise, The Fox and the Crow, and The Lion and the Mouse. For each one, Music Corner involves children directly in the story through fun games, songs and riddles.
The Princess in the
White Jade Jar
The magical and dazzling sounds of traditional Chinese music have been adapted by David Clenman and woven into two stories from Central China and Chinese Canada.
Cao Chung Weighs the Elephant is an ancient tale about a little boy who outsmarts the wise members of his father's court. Children will experience the excitement of Peking opera and even join the Cao family in tai chi exercises!
The Princess in the White Jade Jar, an original tale by local author Lily Chow, is a story of trust and good will set on the Fraser River in the time of the Gold Rush. A poor Chinese gold miner discovers a magical princess who helps him find good fortune.